Related Experiment Videos
[Penicillin resistant pneumococci--not a threat in Denmark yet?]
M Kemp1, H Westh, J H Scheibel
1Klinisk mikrobiologisk afdeling, H:S Rigshospitalet.
Abstract:
The occurrence of penicillin resistance in clinical isolates of pneumococci was investigated in two clinical microbiological laboratories in Copenhagen, Denmark. One of the laboratories predominantly received samples from patients with frequent use of antibiotics mainly because of chronic lung diseases. In this laboratory, 6.3% of 245 isolates of pneumococci had intermediate resistance to penicillin. In the other laboratory, which received samples from a number of hospitals and general practice, only 1.3% of isolates of pneumococci had reduced sensitivity to penicillin. Penicillin-resistant pneumococci are rare in Denmark, but are more prevalent in patients who frequently use antibiotics.
Insights
Penicillin resistance in pneumococci is rare in Denmark. However, it is more common in patients with frequent antibiotic use, particularly those with chronic lung diseases.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Clinical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Context:
- Investigated penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae clinical isolates across two Copenhagen laboratories.
- One lab served patients with frequent antibiotic use (chronic lung diseases), the other served a broader hospital and general practice population.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of penicillin resistance in pneumococcal isolates in Denmark.
- To identify potential risk factors associated with penicillin resistance in pneumococci.
Summary:
- 6.3% of pneumococcal isolates from the high-antibiotic-use laboratory showed intermediate penicillin resistance.
- Only 1.3% of isolates from the general laboratory exhibited reduced penicillin sensitivity.
- Penicillin-resistant pneumococci are infrequent in Denmark but linked to frequent antibiotic exposure.
Impact:
- Highlights the need for antibiotic stewardship programs to mitigate resistance.
- Informs clinical decision-making regarding antibiotic choices for pneumococcal infections.
- Provides epidemiological data on antibiotic resistance trends in Denmark.